Nonspill liquid-holding device



NOV. 25, 1947. I A, MANLEY 2,431,573

- NONSPILL LIQUID HOLDING DEVICE Filed Jan. 9, 1946 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I a l I VIZ IN VEN TOR.

f w a Ndv. 25, 1947. A. M. MANLEY 543 7 NONSPILL LIQUID HOLDING DEVICE I Filed Jan. 9,-1946 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Q [NV 1012.. wm y zfi Nov. 25, 1947.

A. M. MAN LEY 'NONSPILL LIQUID HOLDING DEVICE Filed Jan. 9, 1946 l .58 I I 5/ I I x52;

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 25, 1947 UNITED NON SPILL LIQUID-HOLDIN G DEVICE Albert M. Manley, Boston, Mass, assignor of onehalf to Paul G. Reynolds, Milton, Mass.

Application January 9, 1946, Serial No. 639,942

6 Claims.

This inventionrelates to improvements in liquid-holding devices having a supply reservoir for maintaining a constant level of liquid in a cham- -ber or well which constantly is open and accessible for withdrawal of liquid. More particularly it provides sucha device in which a supply reservoir and an open constant-level withdrawal chamber are combined withnon-spill features in a unitary structure which may be tipped or turned to any position without danger of liquid .a desk stand, but it should be understood that the non-spill principles of operation and the structural relationships involved are applicable wherever it may be desired to maintain a nonspillable limited quantity of liquid at a constant level in a chamber which constantly is open for withdrawal of liquid.

It is among the objects of theinvention to provide a liquid-holding device having a supply reservoir and a constantly open withdrawal chamber and having conduit connections between the reservoir and chamber whereby liquid is maintained at a predetermined constant level in the chamber when the device is in a normal operative position and whereby liquid is prevented from escaping or spilling throughthe chamber opening in any abnormal tipped or turned position of the'device.

Another object is to provide a liquid-holding device having conduit-connected supply reservoir and constantly open withdrawal chamber and having a juncture of conduits located with respect to the reservoir, chamber opening, and the mouth of the conduit opening into the chamber, such that liquid cannot escape through the chamber opening in anyposition of the device.

Still another object is to provide a liquid-holding device wherein 'flow from a relatively large supply of liquid is controlled by the level of liquid in a chamber or well which is constantly open for getting access for withdrawal of liquid from the chamber.

A further object is to provide a liquid-holding device having an inverted ink bottle constituting a supply reservoir andhaving a constantly open inkwell wherein the level of ink is maintained constant through the medium of conduits having a location of juncture and directions of extent which prevent escape of ink from the device in any position thereof. 7

Yet another object is to rovide a liquid-holding device which conveniently and economically may be in the form of an inkwell desk unit-having a reservoir of inkfor supplying a constantly open well, andwhich may be shipped filled with ink without danger of ink escaping from the device through the well opening as a result of-handling in the course of shipment.

It is, moreover, my purpose and object :generally to improvethe structure, operation and-nonspill qualities of liquid-holding devices, and to make them susceptible to symmetrical designsfor varioususes and more especially for serving effectively and safely as ink stands for desk use and capable of holding in an accessible well an unspillable quantity of ink amply suflicient for filling a fountain pen.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an ink stand embodying features of theinvention, a major portion of the ink stand being in cross-section approximately online-l-l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2-is a cross-sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view approximately on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

' Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the positions of ink when theink stand of Figs. 1-3 is tipped so thatits right hand end of Fig. lis the under sidein Fig.4;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the ink stand tipped so that its top side of Fig. 1 is the under side in Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figs. 4 and 5 but showing the ink stand tipped so that its left hand end of Fig. '1 is the under side in Fig. 6;

Fig. 7 is a-view similar to Figs. 4-6 but showing the ink stand'tipped so-that its rear sidein Fig. 1 is the under side in Fig. 7;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figs. 4-7 but showing the ink stand tipped so that the front side in Fig. l is the under side in Fig. 8;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a modified form of desk stand in which the ink reservoir is a specially designed part ofthe stand and in which the non-spill inkwell is a separable part having an integral tubular extension for projecting to the outlet fromthe reservoir, substantial portions of the stand being in cross-section similar to Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view-approximately on line ltl!l of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the parts separated;

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of another modified form in which the withdrawal chamber and the pen-holding sleeve are located centrally in front of the ink reservoir;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the device of Fig. 12, with portions broken away approximately on the lines l3-l3 and l3'l3 respectively of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view on line |4I4 of Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings, the particular embodiments of the invention as illustrated should be considered merely representative of unitary liquid-holding devices in general which include means ensuring against spilling or other escape of liquid from a constantly open chamber in which a quantity of liquid is maintained at a constant level by inflow from an associated supply reservoir.

In the ink stand form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3, any suitable base may be provided for resting on a desk or other support, the size and shape of the base being matters of choice. The base includes an access chamber 52 having a well i l for holding a predetermined quantity of ink, and a, tapered sleeve l6 extends obliquely through the chamber walls to provide a constantly open access passage through Which a fountain pen or the like may be inserted for immersing the pen point in the ink in well is. Sleeve [6 also serves to hold the pen in a convenient position during periods of non-use of the pen.

An inverted bottle I8 is utilized as the supply reservoir of the device of Figs. 1-3. The bottle may be the usual bottle in which ink is purchased or may be a special bottle for receiving ink from any source. In any event means is provided for mounting the inverted bottle on the base iii with a liquid-tight connection between the bottle and the base. As herein shown, the neck of the bottle is exteriorly threaded at 20, and an interiorly threaded cavity 22 is provided in the base it into which the bottle is tightly screwed; Obviously, this connection will be made while the bottle is held upright, after which the bottle, with the base thereon, will be inverted.

A conduit 24 leads from the cavity 22 to a juncture chamber 26 within the base where it communicates, through chamber 25, with an angularly related conduit 28 leading from juncture 26 to the access chamber 12 where it delivers into the well I4. 7 V

According to the invention, the location of the juncture 26 is of prime importance in ensuring against any possibility of ink spilling or otherwise escaping from the device regardless of the position to which the device may be tipped or turned. With the device in its upright position of Fig. 1, the juncture 26 must be below the plane of the bottom of cavity 22. Looking atthe device in plan, as in Figs. 3 and '7, the juncture 28 must be outward of the dot and dash line T shown in Fig. 3 tangent to the periphery of cavity 22, and also must be outward of one or the other lines T and T" each of which is shown in Fig. 3 in right angular relation to the tangentline T. In the device of Figs. 1-3, the juncture 2B is shown outward of the two tangent lines T and T. and the rises sufficiently to seal the outlet 21 of conduit 23, no more ink can enter chamber l2 until the level of ink in the well and channel drops, as when filling of a fountain pen from the well may lower the ink level therein.

If desired, the juncture 26 may be located outward of the tangent lines T and T, in which case the base it would have extension at the rear foraccommodating the juncture and the conduit which latter then could extend directly from the juncture to well Hi without need for the channel 36 shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The'non-spillable features of the device are dependent also on a predetermined relationship between the outlet 2'! of conduit 28 and the inner end of the access sleeve l6. In every case, the outlet 2i must be entirely below the inner end of sleeve 16 in the upright normal position of the device. When the juncture 26 is located as in Figs. 1-3, the conduit outlet 21 also must be located entirely forward of the inner end of sleeve it, as clearly shown in Fig." 2. The importance of this will be obvious by'reference to Fig. 8 where it will be seen that, if the outlet 21 were not forward of the inner end of the sleevelfi, the level of liquidin access chamber 12 in the Fig. 8 position of the device would be above the inner end of the sleeve and ink could flow out.

If, however, the juncture 2B is located rearwar-d, outside of the tangent lines T and T", the outlet of conduit then may be rearward of the inner end of sleeve l8.

In the embodiment illustrated'in Figs. 1-3, the access chamber l 2 is shown at the right hand end of the base H3. However, this chamber may be otherwise located provided only that the important relationships of juncture 26, outlet 21 of conduit 28, and the inner end of access sleeve l6 as herein prescribed, be preserved.

Figs. 9, l0 and 11 illustrate a modified structural form of the invention in which the supply reservoir 32 is formed of sheet material integral with a base which is indicated generally at 34. The base has a bottom wall 36 and an interiorly threaded opening 38 for receiving the exteriorly threaded portion 30 of a tube 42'which projects as an integral part of a wall of the access chamber Q4. The access chamber 44 of this form includes a well at, channel 48, and an access sleeve to similar to those of the first described form of Figs. 1-3. In the'present form, by reference to Figs. 9 and 10, it will be seen that the tube 42 is located forward and at the extreme bottom of the supply reservoir 32, and that the inner end of the tube 52 is beyond the main body of ink in the reservoir, a juncture passage 52 being provided from the reservoir and communicating with the inner end of the tube. Hence the nonspillable features emphasized as essential in the form of Figs. 1-3 are attained in the device of Figs. 9. 10 and 11 which is made up of separable parts which may be manufactured and assembled quickly and economically.

Referring now to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 12-14, the access chamber 54 and access sleeve 55 are located centrally in front of the supply reservoir 58, with a well 69 in chamber 5 3 in position to hold a limited quantity of ink available for filling a fountain pen or for Withdrawal by any suitable means. In this form, however, the conduit 62 leading to access chamber 54 is in the nature of a projecting elbow 64 which constitutes the juncture and in which there is a passage 55 leading out'of the lower part of the reservoir and communicating with the conduit 82: which latter projects: alittle beyond themain bodyof: liquid in reservoir 58- (Eig. 1'3'); Conduit 62 delivers to channel 68'which inturn delivers towell' 60".- It'will-be noticed that juncture 64L is at the opposite corner of the-base, as compared with-theFig. 3' form, and the outlet 61: of conduit 62 is at the right hand side of the-access sleeve 56 (Figs. 12, 13). Theoperation, and the nonspill features, howe ver,;are the same in all of the illustrated embodiments.

t w ll be. vi us. rem: he. or goin d scrip tion of the various illustrated embodimentsof the invention that I hav prc vi de,i aliquid-holding device wherein a limited quantity of'liquid is held accessible for convenient withdrawal from-aton stant, level access chamber, with. an associated supply. r servoir maintaining the constant level of liquid n theaccesschamber. The access chamber. cont nua ly. s open. for Withdrawal of: liquid, yet; an arrangement of conduits, juncture of-condlliiS p 'ldl it outlet, and accesssleeve is provided whereby the device may be tipped or turned to any position without possibility of any liquid escaping from the access chamber. The device may be variously formed to attain the essential structural and operational relationships described, and to provide attractive and serviceable desk stand inkwells and other unitary liquid-holding devices for holding a non-spillable quantity of liquid ever ready for withdrawal as needed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A unitary liquid-holding device comprising a supply reservoir and an access chamber, an access sleeve projecting through a wall of the access chamber and providing a, constantly open access passage into the chamber, a well in the access chamber below the inner end of said access sleeve, a conduit connection leading from said supply reservoir and opening into the access chamber below the inner end of said access sleeve for supplying liquid from the reservoir to said well, the liquid in said well sealing the conduit opening when its level rises sufliciently to cover said opening, said conduit connection having a portion extending from the reservoir obliquely downward and in general direction away from the access chamber to a juncture location which is beyond the reservoir in direction away from the access chamber and which also is below and to one side of the reservoir, and another portion of said conduit connection having extent from said juncture location to the access chamber and deliverin into said access chamber and well at a location both outward of and below the inner end of said sleeve, whereby liquid cannot escape into said sleeve in any position of the device.

2. A unitary liquid-holding device comprising a supply reservoir, an access chamber, a well at the lower portion of the access chamber, and an access sleeve projecting through a wall of the access chamber and providing a constantly open passage into the chamber for getting access to said well, a conduit connection leading from the lower portion of the reservoir and discharging into the access chamber for maintaining liquid in said well at a constant level substantially below the inner end of the access sleeve, the liquid in said well sealing the discharge end of said conduit when at said constant level, said conduit connection including a portion having extent from the lower portion of the reservoir obliquely downward and in general direction away from the access chamber to a juncture location which is below the bottom of the reservoir and outward of the reservoir in two right angularly related direc- 6 tions, of; which one is on thatsid'e of: the resere voir-most remote-from theaccess chamber, where: by said conduit juncture location willstandiabove the level ofsliquid inthe reservoir when the device is turneditomake anyone of. three of its. six sides the underside.

3-. In=a unitary liquid-holding device having a supply: reservoir. and; a constantly open, access chamber withawelltherein for holding alimited supplyof liquid, the combination therewith of means forl preventing escape of liquid from the constantly open access: chamber in any position ofthedevioeandfor maintaining a constant level of'liquid in said well in the normal operative position of the device, said means comprising'e, con-.- duit. connection leading between said reservoir and said well-and: discharging-intosaid well at a level, said conduit: connection, having a juncture portion located below and outward from the reservoir on two sides of which one is the side most remote from the access chamber, and there being a sleeve extending obliquely through a wall of the access chamber and constituting a constantly open access passage whose inner end is substantially above the said constant level of liquid in the well, and inward of said discharge end of the conduit connection, in the normal operative position of the device.

'4. A unitary liquid-holding device comprising a supply reservoir, an access chamber, and a conduit connection between the reservoir and chamber, a well in said chamber having liquid-holding capacity of only a fraction of the liquid-holding capacity of said chamber, said conduit connection delivering into said well at a level below the top of the well for maintaining a constant level of liquid in the well, and the delivery end of the conduit connection being sealed against further flow to the well by liquid in the well when at its said constant level, a tube extending into said chamber and having its inner end spaced a substantial distance from each wall of the chamber and also spaced substantially above said constant level of liquid in the well and inward of the delivery end of the conduit connection when the device is in normal operative position, whereby liquid in the access chamber seals the delivery end of the conduit connection with its level of liquid in the chamber below the inner end of said tube when the device is tipped to make any of three of its six sides the under side of the device.

5. An inkwell desk stand comprising an enclosed container for holding a supply of ink, an associated enclosed access chamber having a limited-capacity well therein, a conduit connection between said supply container and said access chamber for maintaining a constant level of ink in said well, said conduit connection including a juncture portion located below the outlet from the supply container and outward from the body of the container on two sides of the stand of which one side is the side most remote from the access chamber, and an access sleeve extending into the access chamber and having its inner end spaced substantially from each wall of the chamber and spaced substantially above and inward of the delivery end of the conduit connection where it opens into the access chamber, whereby said juncture of the conduit connection will be above the level of ink in the supply container when the stand is tipped on any of three of its six sides, and whereby said inner end of the sleeve will be above the ink level in the chamber when the stand is tipped on any of three others of its six sides.

6. In a liquid-holding device having an enclosed supply reservoir and an enclosed access chamber, with a constantly open access passage leading into said chamber, the combination therewith of means for preventing escape of liquid from the device in every position thereof comprising a conduit connection extending from the reservoir to the chamber On a course which extends to a location below and at two adjacent sides of the reservoir including the side most remote from the chamber, whereby said conduit location will be above the level of liquid in the 15 reservoir when the device is tipped on any of three of its six sides, a constantly open tube extending downwardly and inwardly through a wall of the chamber and having its inner end substantially spaced from each wall of the chamber, and said conduit connection delivering into the chamber at a levelsubstantially below and outward of the inner end of the sleeve, whereby said device may be tipped on any of three of its six sides and liquid in the chamber will seal the de- 

